York City turn to Worthington following Mills axe

LEAGUE TWO: York City have appointed Nigel Worthington as their new manager.

The Minstermen reclaimed their place in the Football League last season, after bearing Luton Town in the Blue Square Premier playoff final at Wembley. However, they have struggled to make an impact in League Two, and are currently just four points above the relegation zone with 10 matches remaining.

A 2-0 home defeat to Bradford City on Saturday resulted in the board showing Gary Mills the exit door, and the Bootham Crescent club have wasted little time in appointing a replacement in Worthington. The 51-year-old has been out of work since October 2011, when he stepped down as head coach of Northern Ireland after four years.

An official club statement read: “The decision to appoint Nigel was based on his solid Football League experience, his strong coaching ability and his extensive knowledge of players throughout the leagues. The York City Board of Directors welcomes Nigel Worthington to the club and looks forward to working with him.”

Worthington began his managerial career at Blackpool, but resigned in December 1999 after claiming to have taken the club as far as he could during a two-and-a-half year spell. His next port of call was Norwich City, who he led to the Premier League in his third year in charge before being sacked in October 2006. During the 2006-07 season, he steered Leicester City to survival in the Championship whilst in caretaker charge.